COURSES FOR SCHOOL LEAVERS
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QUALIFICATIONS EXPLAINED
A Levels develop the knowledge, skills and study habits to excel at university, as well as the attributes recognised by employers.
Your academic studies will be complemented with enrichment opportunities such as trips, mentoring and work experience, providing the perfect springboard for your future career.
A Levels are assessed through exams at the end of two years of study. Most learners study three subjects - some choose four.
With an apprenticeship you’ll go straight into the workplace and be shown clear routes to progress straight into employment within a specific occupation. You can achieve nationally recognised qualifications, earn a wage, and gain skills that will see you get ahead. On average you will spend 20% of your learning time in the college and 80% within the workplace
Professional and technical qualifications are designed to provide you with the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed to gain employment within specific industries or occupations. They provide a balance between theory and practical skills development. They are suited to those who want to get hands-on experience within a particular vocational area. These programmes include work placements. Assessment is more varied and will include exams, coursework and practical work.
T Levels give you the chance to learn what a real career is like while you continue your studies. T Levels have been designed with leading businesses and employers to give you the knowledge and skills you need, including a minimum of 45 days on an industry placement – this means you will spend 80% of your learning time in College and 20% within the workplace.
LATEST NEWS
Weston College has received the Association of Colleges’ (AoC) Beacon Award for Students with Learning Difficulties and Disabilities at an event at The Grove Restaurant at Weston College’s Knightstone Campus.
The award recognises the College’s specialist provision for students with special educational needs and disabilities, particularly Weston Bay – the College’s autism spectrum residential training centre. Judges found that the College actively develops and promotes exemplary teaching and learning which benefits its students and sets an example for other colleges across the country to follow.
This year the AoC received 120 submissions from 100 colleges from across the UK.
Dr Paul Phillips CBE, Principal and Chief Executive of the Weston College Group, said: “This award recognises an area of Weston College provision that has a tangible effect on its learners, enabling them to progress beyond their own expectations.
“Nationally, only 24% of autistic people are in employment, whereas 100% of the students who study in Weston Bay progress into further study, university, independent living or paid work.”
The award follows investment in the College’s inclusive practice provision over recent years under the direction of Dr Phillips CBE. The Weston Bay facility was the first of its kind in the UK to be opened by a further education college, and its success has led Dr Phillips to work with colleges across the country and internationally to replicate its provision.
Ian Munro, Area Director (South West) for the AoC presented the award at the event and informed the gathering of some of the assessor’s comments. He said: “The winning submission demonstrated outstanding strategic planning for the provision, led by senior management and the governing body and developed over several years.
“The programme also included a seamless dual approach to teaching and learning; strong professional development and training, with certification at degree and Master’s level, for staff; high quality residential training provision; outstanding success rates.
“All the Beacon criteria were met and many exceeded in this project; and verified through the independent assessors visit to the College.”
A Level Law students at Weston College’s Sixth Form were recently visited by a top law firm to learn about how to get into a legal career.
Representatives from Womble Bond Dickison, who have offices across the UK and US, came to the College’s Loxton Campus to give an informative session to year one and two law students.
28 students attended, and were given practical advice about the different aspects of law, including information about the support service roles that law firms also need, such as IT, HR, finance and management.
They discussed related career options, including being a barrister, solicitor, legal executive and paralegal. They also told students how, when a firm such as themselves recruit, personal statements were key along with their grades at A Level.
Liz Painter, Development Manager for the Law and Professional Service Academy at Weston College, said: “The students were really engaged and interest to hear directly from an international law firm how they recruit and the different routes that are now available in the legal profession. This impartial advice and guidance is vital for students to be able to make informed career choices.”
Weston College has revealed the winners of its National Careers Week CV Competition.
Students from across the College were encouraged to put their CV writing skills to use during the College's 'How employable are you?' competitions, which saw prizes worth £50 up for grabs.
The CVs were judged by a panel which included members of the College's human resources department and recruiters at Bristol Airport.
The triumphant winners were Scott Aldridge and Esme Taylor, and prizes were also awarded to runners up Alexandra Elliott, Samuel Folland, Amy Evans and Jordan Marsh.
Finalists received individual feedback from our recruitment specialists, and every student who entered the competition was given advice to improve their CV from the College's progression team.
Click here to see our CV writing advice.
WHICH LEVEL IS RIGHT FOR ME?
